Automatic machine for dispensing natural juices

ABSTRACT

The automatic machine intended to dispense natural juices, has a functional assembly with a supply system with unit dosing of the fruit ( 7 ) from a supply hopper, and a pressing system which has a chopping-cutting mechanism ( 19 ). The presser-squeezer itself being formed by a rotary head included in a collector ( 25 ). The assembly has a residue removal system with a crusher ( 30 ) and an expulsion outlet ( 33 ). There is also an automatic cleaning system which has a water distribution system ( 36 ) with projection outlets at various points.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For their satisfying refreshment quality, fruit juices are widelyconsumed products with a constantly growing demand, natural juicesstanding out in this sense, and particularly those of squeezable fruits,such as orange, lemon, grapefruit, etc., due to the vitamin-richproperties they offer.

Now, owing to the rapid deterioration to which some of the qualities ofsaid juices are subject, it is advisable to prepare them just at thetime they are going to be consumed, in order to take effective advantageof all their properties.

To carry out squeezing directed at the preparation of juices, a varietyof hand tools or electrically operated hand-held tools has beendeveloped, the greatest progress having been made with automaticmachines for obtaining juices by simple activation on demand, withoutthe need for an operator's intervention for preparation.

The machines developed for that purpose present, however, certaindefects and problems, related to an excessive functional complexity, asreflected in costs and breakdowns, and even in product quality, with theadditional disadvantage in some cases of mishandling of the fruits,which causes some of the qualities, like taste, color, etc., to beaffected.

In general, said machines further require manual cleaning, since eitherthey do not provide for automatic cleaning or such cleaning is defectiveor inadequate, so that, given the fuss and bother and tediousnessinvolved in cleaning on each use, thorough cleaning is only occasionallycarried out, the machines meanwhile working with residues accumulated inthem, which obviously adversely affects the quality of the productprepared.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Considering all those disadvantages and the advisability of eliminatingthem, the present invention proposes a new automatic machine fordispensing squeezed fruit juices, which has been developed withstructural and functional characteristics that make them operativelyhighly advantageous, compared to the machines and appliances previouslyexisting for that function.

This machine, object of the invention, consists basically of a set ofmechanisms that are included in a refrigerated space inside an enclosureor frame, comprising an automatic cleaning system, formed by apressurized water circuit that empties into projection injectors locatedin each and every one of the functional parts of product treatment.

The functional assembly includes a feed system formed by a loadinghopper and a fruit unit proportioning separator, a squeezing system,formed by a fruit slicer and a juice extractor, a residue eliminationsystem, formed by a crusher and an expulsion outlet with hydropneumaticsystem, and the integrated cleaning system, everything being controlledby a programmable electronic device.

A simple structural and functional assembly is thereby obtained, capableof developing by itself the whole process of preparation and dispensingof juices from a majority load of fruits in the supply hopper,eliminating the resulting residues of each operation and with theaccomplishment each time of total cleaning of all parts in contact withthe product, residues from other previous processes that might in anyway affect the juice in process being completed avoided.

Since the functional assembly is included in a refrigerated space insidea closed frame, the juices that the machine dispenses directly turn outto be cold, furthermore, in optimal condition for consumption, withoutthe need to have to adjust their temperature with ice or other means ofcooling and, in any case, without having to add preservatives to theproduct, since it is directly dispensed for consumption afterpreparation.

The integrated machine unit, with the said functional assembly enclosedwithin a frame, makes possible, on the other hand, a connection to awater supply system and to a drain pipe, and also an independentoperating arrangement, including within the frame enclosure a water tankand a residue collection container, which affords the possibility ofinstallation of the machine anywhere, even as a self-service machine,without the need for fittings for said purpose.

Therefore, this machine, object of the invention, is a result certainlyof some highly advantageous features, which give it a life of its ownand a character preferable to that of the devices hitherto used for thesame function of preparing juices from squeezable fruits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents an exterior perspective of the machine recommended,according to a nonlimitative example of the corresponding frame.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the system supplying the fruitsto be squeezed in the functional assembly.

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 represent a sequence of the process of separation and unitproportioning of the fruits in successive phases.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective of the functional part correspondingto the squeezer proper.

FIGS. 7 to 10 represent a sequence of the functional process of thesqueezer, in four successive phases.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the assembly of squeezer andoutlet for expulsion of residues to the crusher.

FIG. 12 is a general schematic perspective of the squeezer, with theresidue expulsion outlet and juice line to the dispenser glass.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the residue disposal system.

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of the functional assembly withthe automatic cleaning system.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The object of the invention is a machine designed to make and dispensejuices of squeezable fruits, such as orange, lemon, grapefruit, etc., bymeans of a totally automatic operation, without the need for anoperator's intervention other than to load the fruits to be squeezed.

Said machine consists of a functional assembly that is enclosed with aframe (1), which can be of any shape and configuration, a self-serviceapplication being provided for, without being limitative, such as, forexample, in the form represented in FIG. 1, with an outlet (2) supplyingglasses (3) with the respective juice, provision being made for a panel(4) for insertion of coins and selection of different types of juices,for example, with sugar, sugar-free, etc. The presence of a transparentwindow (5) is also provided for, in order to be able to observe thefunctional squeezing process from outside.

The functional assembly comprises a series of components of partialsystems of the functional process, including a supply system, asqueezing system, a residue disposal system and an automatic cleaningsystem.

The supply system is formed by a hopper (6) that can have a variablecapacity, between 10 and 100 kg, for example, where the fruits (7)intended to be squeezed are loaded, which in turn can come in any size,since that does not affect the functional process of the machine.

Said hopper (6) can be freely open on top or come with a closing flap,it being arranged for it to possess at least one transparent sight (8)in front in order to be able to observe the load level.

Said hopper (6) further possesses an inclined plate (10) at the bottom,which can be rocked and vibrated when supported on a vibrator (11),constituting an agitator that makes it possible to move the fruits (7)in order to go out properly to the conveyor (18), so that no spoiled orrotten fruit (7) can remain at the base of the hopper (6).

Said outlet of the hopper (6) incorporates a shear gate (12), whichretains the oranges above the base (10). Said gate slides on guides(130) under the action of the spring (14). Combined with this gate (12)is an electromagnet (15). When no fruits (7) are present on the ramp(16) and that is detected by the photocell (17), it gives the order tothe electromagnet (15) which, on being activated, projects its shaft tothe vibrator (11) and to the ascending conveyor (18), in order to beactivated, which causes this conveyor (18) to slide down to the positionin the drawing—FIG. 4—at the same time as the vibrator (11) producesvibrations and easy sliding of the fruit (7) on the base (10). On thedescent of the conveyor (18), it engages with the shaft of theelectromagnet (15), dragging it along to the gate (12), which releasesthe fruits (7).

At said time, the fruits (7) are deposited on the conveyor (18) and arelifted to the inclined upper ramp (16). All that is produced by thepower of the motor (190), which acts by means of the levers (200), atthe head of which the conveyor (18) is fastened and which transmit saidpower upward and downward, using the sliding bars (210) as guides.

The fruit (7), once deposited on the ramp (16), descends to theproportioner (220) under electric-electronic control.

In said proportioner, the fruit (7) remains held up by the plate (230)until the electronic system of the machine gives the order to theelectromagnet (240) to be activated, so that the electromagnet (240)raises the platform (250) that ejects the fruit (7) along the ramp(260)—FIGS. 5 and 6—, making possible the introduction of the fruit (7)in the squeezer and completion of the sequence of proportioning of thefruit (7).

The squeezer mechanism consists of an annular body (19) equipped insidewith a series of radial blades (20), protuberances (21) projecting ontop in the peripheral portion, which serve as bearings for retaining onthe blades (20) the fruit (7) supplied each time from the ramp (260) ofthe proportioner (220).

A pusher (22) is situated above said body (19), the outside of whichmatches the inner diameter of the body (19), further possessing someradial grooves (23) that match the blades (20) in position and size.Said pusher (22) is operable in vertical displacement by a drivecylinder (24), in such a way that on descent, it is included inside thebody (19), or by any other conventional means like, for example, a motorand a lever system.

Underneath the body (19), a collector (25) is situated in which thesqueezer head (26) is axially incorporated, being freely rotating anddriven by a motor (27), the collector (25) forming a cavity receivingthe juice and the squeezing residues, with a lower outlet (28) forevacuation of the juice, while a conduit (29) emerges on the side, whichwill pass into a crusher (30).

This being the case, when the fruit (7) to be squeezed is situated onthe blades (20) of the body (19), as represented in FIG. 7, the pusher(22) drops, forcing the fruit (7) to pass through the blades (20) asrepresented in FIG. 8, so that the fruit (7) is sectioned into as manychunks as the body (19) possesses blades (20).

At the same time as said cutting of the fruit (7) takes place, on beingpushed downward, the motor (27) goes into operation, making the squeezerhead (26) rotate at a slow speed appropriate for squeezing, which causesthe pulp from the chunks of fruit (7) to be broken up, the juice beingseparated and passing through a filtering means in order to drop throughthe outlet (28), as represented in FIG. 9.

Once squeezing is carried out, the pusher (22) goes back to the upperposition, as represented in FIG. 10, the resulting residues remainingabove the filtering means, so that when the motor (27) is then operatedat a fast speed, the rotation that the head (26) acquires at such speedcauses the said residues to be expelled by centrifugal force, coming outthrough the side conduit (29) to the crusher (30).

The filtered juice for its part drops through the outlet (28) into acollector (31), from which it is discharged into the dispenser glass(3).

The glass (3) positioned to receive the squeezed juice is situated overa spillage collector (32), which is connected with the crusher (30), sothat any possible overflow of juice falling outside the glass (3) willstop in turn at the crusher (30).

In any case, to avoid needless overflow, filling of the glass (3) to thedesired level is arranged to be controlled by a photoelectric cell, sothat, on reaching the specified level, the squeezing cycles areautomatically halted, the supply of fruits (7) through the proportioner(220) being stopped.

The squeezing residues are broken up in the crusher (30), forming asemiliquid mass which passes into a discharge tube (33) in which saidmass is introduced by the agitating action produced by the apparatus onoperation and by the action of gravity, so that at a given time, a valve(34) situated at the outlet of the crusher (30) blocks passage at thesame time as a projection (35) of water and air is injected underpressure into said tube (33), giving rise to the discharge of theresidual mass present along said tube (33) to a corresponding evacuationoutlet.

The functional assembly of the machine further includes an automaticcleaning system, formed by a pressurized water distribution system (36),which makes possible the projection of water through a series ofinjectors (37) at given points in the squeezing zone and residueexpulsion conduit (29).

This cleaning system goes into operation at the end of the process ofpreparation of each juice on the established programming, so that, aftereach functional sequence, the machine is totally free of residue, andall the parts with which the product comes in contact are clean,absolutely hygienic conditions and perfect quality of the juicesdispensed thus being achieved, without their being affected in any wayby residue or dirt from other previous preparations.

The collector (31) discharging the juice into the dispenser glass (3) isdesigned with two possible positions, movable, for example, by means ofa drive cylinder (38), so that, in the juice production phase, it issituated with the outlet (39) for discharge into the glasses (3), whilein the cleaning phase, it is situated with the outlet (40) into anevacuation conduit to the crusher (30), so that the cleaning liquidsflow directly to the latter.

The entire functional assembly of said machine is planned to operateautomatically, being designed for such purpose with programmableelectronic equipment that controls the operation, giving rise to thesuccessive execution of the different operating phases of dispensing offruits (7), squeezing and cleaning, according to the programmingestablished, without the need at any time for an operator'sintervention, which is only required in order to load the hopper (6)with the fruits (7) to be squeezed.

The machine can therefore be installed with the system (36) connected toa water tap and, as the case may be, with the discharge tube (33)connected to a drainage system. But, at the same time, without thataltering the concept or operation of the machine assembly, the system(36) can be supplied by means of an impeller pump (41) from a water tank(42) situated inside the frame itself (1); and in the same frame (1), aresidue collector (43) can likewise be included, into which the tube(33) passes, so that the machine will be capable of independentoperation and can be directly installed anywhere without the need forspecial fittings, even if no water tap nor drainage outlet should exist.

The functional assembly of the machine is further designed to beincluded inside a frame (1) in a refrigerated environment, whichfacilitates preservation of the fruits (7) in the hopper (6), at thesame time as the juices dispensed come out fresh, in fit condition fordirect consumption, without having to be cooled by other means.

In FIG. 12, instead of a drive cylinder (38) creating the rotary motionof the collector (31), it can be arranged for said collector (31) to bestationary, but with two conduits that will pass out to the glass (3) orto the crusher (30) respectively, means being available, such as anelectromagnet, to block or open/close one of the conduits.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic machine for dispensing natural fruitjuices from fruit comprising: a housing; a supplier for holding andproportioning said fruit mounted in said housing; a squeezer for cuttingand squeezing said fruit to obtain natural fruit juices mounted in saidhousing, said squeezer receiving said fruit from said supplier anddispensing said natural fruit juices; a residue disposer for crushingand expelling residue of said fruit after said natural juices have beenobtained, said disposer mounted on said housing; and an automaticcleaner for distributing water to said squeezer and said disposer, saidcleaner mounted in said housing.
 2. The machine of claim 1 wherein saidsupplier comprises: a hopper for holding fruit, said hopper having aninclined bottom plate, a vibrator attached to said inclined bottom platefor moving fruit to an outlet of said hopper, and a shear gatecontrolled by an electromagnet and positioned at said outlet of saidhopper; an ascender/descender conveyor for moving fruit from said sheargate to an inclined upper ramp; and a proportioner which receives fruitfrom said inclined ramp and proportions said fruit to said squeezer. 3.The machine of claim 1 wherein said squeezer comprises: an annular bodyhaving radial blades therein for cutting the fruit; a pusher verticallydisplaceably situated above said blades for pushing fruit onto saidblades; a rotatable squeezer head positioned in a collector below saidblades and driven by a two-speed motor which rotates at the same timefruit is pushed down by said pusher onto said blades.
 4. The machine ofclaim 3 wherein said collector has a residue outlet connected to aconduit through which said residue is expelled from said collector bycentrifugal force from said squeezer head.
 5. The machine of claim 1wherein said residue disposer comprises: a conduit connected to saidsqueezer and through which said residue is expelled from said squeezer;a crusher connected to said conduit for crushing said residue, saidcrusher having an outlet for crushed residue; a check valve connected tosaid outlet of said crusher; an expulsion outlet connected to said checkvalve and a pressurized water and air projector connected to saidexpulsion outlet for conveying the residue out said expulsion outlet. 6.The machine of claim 1 wherein said cleaner is connected to an outsidewater tap, or is connected to an independent tank and a pump, said tankand said pump positioned in said housing.
 7. The machine of claim 5wherein said expulsion outlet is connected to an outside drainagesystem, or is connected to a residue collector which is positioned insaid housing.
 8. The machine of claim 1 wherein said housing is anenclosed frame which refrigerates the interior of said housing so as toprovide flavor preservation of the fruit and permit dispensing of coldjuices.
 9. An automatic machine for dispensing natural fruit juices fromfruit comprising: an enclosed refrigerated frame; a supplier of fruitmounted in said frame, said supplier having a hopper for holding fruit,said hopper having an inclined bottom plate, a vibrator attached to saidinclined bottom plate for moving fruit to an outlet of said hopper, anda shear gate controlled by an electromagnet and positioned at saidoutlet of said hopper, an ascender/descender conveyor for moving fruitfrom said shear gate to an inclined upper ramp; a proportioner whichreceives fruit from said inclined ramp and proportions said fruit to asqueezer; said squeezer comprising an annular body with radial bladestherein for cutting the fruit, a pusher vertically displaceably situatedabove said blades for pushing fruit onto said blades, and a rotatablesqueezer head positioned in a collector below said blades and driven bya two-speed motor which rotates at the same time fruit is pushed down bysaid pusher onto said blades, thereby generating natural fruit juice andfruit residue; a residue disposer having a conduit connected to saidsqueezer and through which said residue is expelled from said squeezer,a crusher connected to said conduit for crushing said residue, saidcrusher having an outlet for crushed residue, a check valve connected tosaid outlet of said crusher, an expulsion outlet connected to said checkvalve, and a pressurized water and air projector connected to saidexpulsion outlet for expelling said residue; a cleaner for distributingwater to said squeezer and said residue disposer for cleaning thereof;and said squeezer having an outlet through which said natural juice isdispensed.
 10. The machine of claim 9 wherein the cleaner is connectedto an outside water tap, or is connected to an independent tank and apump, said tank and said pump positioned in said housing.
 11. Themachine of claim 9 wherein said expulsion outlet is connected to anoutside drainage system, or is connected to a residue collector which ispositioned in said housing.